We are heading into the stretch run here, so the handcuff report only has a week or two left. At this point, you should be stashing almost anyone who could be a potential starter in the event of injury. Don’t be carrying two kickers or two defenses – That only serves to minimize your roster’s potential. Instead, stash guys like DeeJay Dallas, Matt Breida, or even Jaret Patterson on the off chance they pop.
This week I’ve outlined some backfields where we have seen a shift in the distribution of labor. A few have some intriguing adds, while others have backs getting 15+ carries but are only on about 50% of rosters. We’ve also lost Christian McCaffery for the season while D’Andre Swift and Dalvin Cook are likely out for weeks.
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Backfields Of Interest
Buffalo – RBBC: Devin Singletary, Matt Breida
Zack Moss was a healthy scratch, so Singletary led the way with 16 touches on 68% of the snaps Thanksgiving night. Breida has been getting more involved lately and had a season-high in snap share and touches against the Saints. If Moss is truly the odd man out here, Singletary and Breida can both prove to be helpful down the stretch. The Bills need to run the football, and, up to this point, that has been a struggle. Breida could breathe some life into this situation with his explosive ability.
Carolina – Starter: Chuba Hubbard, Handcuff: Ameer Abdullah
Chubba Hubbard will be the starter for the remainder of the year, with Christian McCaffery on IR. Hubbard has been a borderline RB1 when given control of the backfield and should be treated as such moving forward. If you want the handcuff’s handcuff, Abdullah would be the add.
Detroit – Starter: D’Andre Swift, Handcuff: Jamaal Williams
The situation in Detroit hinges on Swift’s shoulder, but things don’t look great for his Week 13 status. Enter Williams, who was used heavily against Chicago on Thanksgiving with 20 total touches. This week’s matchup with Vikings is an inviting one for Williams; add him everywhere.
Minnesota – Starter: Dalvin Cook, Handcuff: Alexander Mattison
Cook is going to miss at least the next two weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Enter Mattison, who gets a cupcake matchup with Detroit this weekend and is a must roster everywhere. The interesting add here is Kene Nwangu, a rookie from Iowa State who has two kick returns for touchdowns. He’s widely available across most leagues (less than 5% rostered), and he’s a 4.37 burner who, if given a 25% snap share, could pop off for a big play or two.
New York Jets – RBBC: Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, Austin Walter
Johnson is by far the most explosive option here, and he is the preferred back if I am going to roster one, but the whole situation is bleak. Coleman got 16 carries for 67 yards which are about the best we can expect, minus him falling into the end zone. Walter was bumped from the practice squad Saturday, and he played 28% of the snaps and got nine carries. If they split this between all three backs moving forward, none of them are worth a spot on your roster.
Philadelphia – RBBC: Boston Scott, Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, Jordan Howard
Scott played 51% of the snaps on Sunday and got 17 touches, despite the return of Miles Sanders. The Eagles seem to trust Scott, but it’s tough to recommend these guys moving forward, especially if all four are active. It’s a lot of guesswork to figure out who will be the guy each week, so if I had to choose, Scott – Sanders – Howard – Gainwell would be the preference.
Seattle – Starter: Alex Collins, Handcuff: DeeJay Dallas
Collins is the starter in name only at this point. Dallas has come on strong the past two weeks, and he finished Monday night with a 60% snap share. With Collins being more of a 2-down hammer back, it would make sense for the Seahawks to try and get the more well-rounded Dallas involved. Dallas has flashed potential and is widely available like Nwangu.
Tennessee – RBBC: Dontrell Hilliard, D’Onta Foreman
The Titans seem intent on running the football no matter the game script. Hilliard and Foreman both went over 100-yards against New England; they split the snaps 50/50. I think they are both worth rostering given the Titans’ relative lack of other weapons, but if I had to choose, Hilliard would be my preference.
Handcuff Rankings
Should Be Rostered in 10-teams or less
- Chuba Hubbard
- AJ Dillon – Probably in a committee of sorts at this point.
- Alexander Mattison
- Tony Pollard – Could get a bump in usage this week with Zeke’s knee hobbling him.
- Jamaal Williams
- Mark Ingram – Missed Week 12, making Ty Montgomery relevant.
- Devontae Booker
- Khalil Herbert
- Sony Michel – Only 19% of the snaps show game script vulnerability.
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Kareem Hunt and Darrel Williams continue to slot in here while rostered at about an 85% clip.
Should Be Rostered in 12-teams or less
- Samaje Perine – It would be the hot add if Mixon goes down. Get on the train early.
- Matt Breida
- D’Onta Foreman/Dontrel Hilliard
- Kenyan Drake/Peyton Barber
- Nyheim Hines – I am skeptical he would increase his touch share by a significant margin.
- Jets Running Backs? – Good luck figuring this out.
- D’Ernest Johnson
- Gio Bernard/Ronald Jones
- Carlos Hyde
- DeeJay Dallas – Monitor closely this week.
Should Be On Your Radar
- Jaret Patterson – Jd Mckissic got knicked up Monday night, so monitor practice reports. Patterson will be in line for maybe 8-10 touches Sunday if McKissic misses.
- Phillip Lindsay – Added by the Dolphins last week. Lindsay joins a crowded backfield.
- Brandon Bolden
- Ameer Abdullah – The backup to Hubbard and Carolina has given whoever the starter is a significant share of the carries.
- Kene Nwangu
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.